The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, together with the Secretaries of Department and the Directors of Bureau met over 100 Hong Kong young people and students, who won international competitions in the past year, in a tea gathering at Government House this afternoon (July 1) to commend the new and outstanding generation of Hong Kong and encourage them to continue to work hard for their goals.

     Some 140 young people and students, together with their parents, headmasters, teachers and tutors, totalling about 250 people took part in the tea gathering. Mrs Lam said that since she assumed the post of the Chief Executive, she has spent more time to read newspapers every morning. She said that she was excited whenever she came across news reports about Hong Kong young people and students winning international competitions and bringing honour home, and would take record of them. On the 21th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, she said she invited this group of outstanding young people and students to a tea gathering today to celebrate with them and encourage them to continue to work hard to contribute to Hong Kong.

     "The young people and students here in the tea gathering won awards in various international competitions. I am proud of the efforts they have made during the process. Every young person and kid has his own potential and is the future and hope of Hong Kong. We should give them room to realise their potential. I hope people from various sectors would work together to nurture them into a new generation with a sense of national identity, an affection for Hong Kong and an international perspective, who are also passionate about and committed to the well-being of our community," Mrs Lam said.

     The young people invited to the tea gathering won in 40 different international competitions with areas covering STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), drawing, music, animation, design, sports, etc. The youngest of them is only four years old. In addition to taking pictures and chatting with the Chief Executive, the Secretaries of Department and the Directors of Bureau, they exchanged their experience gained in the competitions with each other and relived the exciting moments of winning awards.

            

     Police today (July 1) appealed to the public for information on a missing man.

     Zhou Shao-quan, aged 30, went missing after he entered Hong Kong through Shenzhen Bay Control Point on June 17 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on June 29.

     He is about 1.75 metres tall, 63 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short straight black hair. He was last seen wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and blue slippers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8037 or 9020 6542, or email to rmpu-kw-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
 

  

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 30) seized about 2.8 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $1.5 million at Hong Kong International Airport.
     
     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday. Upon examination of his luggage, Customs officers found the batch of suspected methamphetamine wrapped as chocolates. The man was then arrested.

     The arrested man, aged 81, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 2).

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment. 

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).  

  

      In response to the procession today (July 1), a government spokesman said that the current-term government has, since inauguration, been following the mottos of "we care", "we listen" and "we act" sincerely, and introduced and implemented in stages various measures in response to people's aspirations. It is also proactively playing the role of "facilitator" and "promoter" to inject new impetus into society and the economy with a view to creating more opportunities to the people of Hong Kong, especially youngsters.

     The spokesman said, "In the past 21 years since our return to the Motherland, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been implementing the 'one country, two systems' principle, 'Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law. The Basic Law provides solid support for maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. It also safeguards the fundamental rights and duties of Hong Kong residents, and protects our core values such as freedom, democracy, rule of law and clean governance."

     "Under the arrangement of 'one country, two systems', we have to firmly uphold the 'one country' principle, have a correct understanding of the constitutional order as set out by the Constitution and the Basic Law, and safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests. At the same time, we should also make the best use of the 'two systems' and ride on our unique advantages to develop our economy and improve people's livelihood."

      Since the return to the Motherland, Hong Kong has continued to enjoy prosperity and stability, and maintained its status as international financial, transportation and trade centres, thanks to the strong support of the country and Hong Kong's inherent institutional strengths, the spokesman said.

     "Hong Kong has been ranked the world's freest economy for 24 consecutive years and is one of the most competitive economies globally. The latest unemployment rate stands at a 20-year low of 2.8 per cent. We are also one of the safest cities in the world, with the global ranking for the rule of law continuously staying at the top," he said.

     "The further deepening of economic reform and opening up of the Mainland, together with the two major national development strategies, i.e. the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area, have provided unprecedented opportunities for Hong Kong. Looking ahead, we will further reinforce and enhance the development of our traditional industries and proactively engineer new drivers for economic growth. We will also strive to improve  governance, better livelihood and nurture talents, and will join hands with the community at large with a view to building Hong Kong into a place which is full of energy and hope, and a home where people live and work with contentment."

      The spokesman reiterated that chanting slogans which disrespect 'one country' and disregard the constitutional order or which are sensational and misleading was not in line with Hong Kong’s overall interests and would undermine its development.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 30) seized about 79 kilograms of suspected cocaine and 1 kilogram of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $80 million in Tuen Mun. This is a record high suspected cocaine seizure by Hong Kong Customs in the past five years.

     During an anti-narcotics operation in Tuen Mun yesterday morning, Customs officers intercepted a man and found the batch of suspected dangerous drugs inside his residence. The 52-year-old man was then arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing. Customs has been taking vigorous enforcement action to prevent and combat drug trafficking activities. Customs appeals to members of the public, especially young people, not to defy the law.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182, or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).